Evaporation System for Potash Mining

Potash is a critical fertilizer that provides one of eight essential nutrients vital to the creation of protein in many crops.

One of the largest producers of potash (potassium chloride) in the United States needed to dewater a large lake that had been created from excess rainfall and processing water. Potash is recovered in a refining process where the potassium chloride is separated from the langbeinite, sodium chloride, and other impurities.

The company contacted Rain for Rent to design an evaporation system that would be tested on a two-acre section of the lake. Once the lake was dry, they would be able to mine the area.

The system included a 6-inch HH-150 Stainless Steel Power Prime™ pump; 2,400 feet of 4-inch, 200 feet of 6-inch, and 40 feet of 8-inch HDPE pipe; 3/4-inch risers; and 1/2-inch nozzles. With a nozzle pressure of 100 psi and 10% to 15% evaporation efficiency, we were able to evaporate approximately 19,500 to 29,250 gallons in a ten-hour day.

Due to the area's prevailing wind, an anemometer was evaluated to control the pump during high wind events; however, additional testing proved that winds less than 50 mph did not affect evaporation efficiency.

The test was considered a success and the potash mine is looking to expand the dewatering operation to cover the existing four acres and has plans to utilize the evaporation system at other mines in the area.